Bring on the turkey, the neighborhood cookie exchange, the Christmas dinner. As consumers prepare to host at-home gatherings for Thanksgiving and the December holidays, interest in home decorating and holiday home décor is likely to remain strong.
Renewed interest in indoor entertaining is one factor that has been driving housewares sales throughout the last year, Joe Derochowski, Circana vice president and home industry advisor, told housewares executives at an IHA education event last month. That attention may even pick up this quarter since October, November and December are the most popular months to host at-home events, according to IHA’s 2023 At-Home Entertaining Survey.
And while consumers may look for new cookware or cleaning tools to assist them in hosting guests, they’re likely to be attracted to items that help them spruce up the look of their homes. After all, home décor is one home and housewares category Derochowski said has been experiencing year-over-year growth (as of August 2023).
Holiday Home Décor
No matter the year, consumers often like to get in the spirit of the season with seasonal or holiday-specific décor. These items can be anything from Christmas ornaments to scented candles like these elegant ones from Forty-One Sixteen Home Fragrance, which come in seasonal varieties like Pumpkin Sunset, Birch Winterwood and Berry Noel.
But what’s trending in holiday home décor this year? Style experts are seeing even more blues and pinks in holiday decorations, which is not surprising given their popularity earlier in the year. Pastels play a leading role in what Dayna Isom Johnson, Etsy’s resident trend expert, is calling the “candycore” craze. “Inspired by a sugary fantasy world filled with lollipops, candy canes and gumdrops, this playful trend taps into the childlike enchantment of sweet treats and features holiday staples in iridescent materials, playful patterns and delicious colors,” she says.
But it’s not all about bubble gum. Glass, nature-inspired items and leather—to go along with a grandpa-chic vibe—look to be popular as well. And of course, anything new and different will be sure to resonate. (Want a tip? Holiballs, the giant inflatable Ornaments® that were everywhere in the last few years, are now available in a smaller 8” size. They’re durable, reusable and suited for both indoors and outside.)
Trending for Home Year-Round
In addition to holiday home décor, it appears many consumers are focused on refreshing their homes with year-round décor items as well this season. This can include anything from artwork and mirrors to vases and lamps. Some may choose to use stylish glassware, servingware or dinnerware as a way to enhance their décor as well.
So what styles are trending? “Just between us, expect high-impact patterns and intriguing combinations to be a defining style element (in home and housewares products) in 2024-25,” says Tom Mirabile, founder and principal of Springboard Futures, in the HomePage News InSight Trend Index 2023/24.
In particular, “The Shape of Things to Come” portfolio singles out bold geometric patterns, the rise of gold and ribbed, pleated and ridged textures. You can find the gold trend illustrated in these sleek, sophisticated accent lamps from Zafferano America, and both the gold and geometric pattern trends in these bathroom accessories from Azuda.